Chapter 2

"Alpha Ethan, Luna Sophia, are you certain you wish to dissolve your mate bond?" Elder Grace's voice was grave. "This decision cannot be undone."

I stood before the Elders' altar and nodded calmly. "I'm sure."

Ethan stood beside me, his expression a mess. On the way over, he'd suddenly grabbed my arm.

"Sophia, do we really have to go through with this?" There was a hint of panic in his voice. "Maybe we can reconsider..."

"Didn't you lose your connection to me?" I shot back. "Breaking the bond should be a relief for you."

He faltered for a moment, then quickly smoothed his expression. "Right... yes. I'm just worried you'll have a hard time adjusting."

Such a terrible actor.

And now, in front of the Elder, he was putting on another show of trying to get me to stay.

"Sophia, do you remember our mating ceremony?" Ethan stared into my eyes. "That night, under the moonlight, we promised to be together forever..."

"Of course, I remember," I cut him off. "And I also remember what you told my father."

Ethan's expression soured. "What?"

"You said, 'This union will really help me become Alpha. Sophia's family name and her healing skills will help me secure my position.'" I repeated, word for word. "You thought I didn't know?"

Elder Grace looked at Ethan, a flash of disappointment in her eyes.

"That... that was..." Ethan stammered.

"The truth," I finished for him. "So now you've found someone better, right?"

Ethan opened his mouth to argue, but I'd already turned to Elder Grace.

"Please, let's begin the ceremony."

The ceremony went smoothly.

When the last ray of moonlight faded, I felt the tightness in my chest completely vanish. Five years of a mate bond, gone just like that.

"The ritual is complete," Elder Grace announced. "From this moment on, you are no longer mates."

When I walked out of the Elders' Hall, Vivian was already waiting. She was wearing a red evening gown, like she was dressed for a party.

"Finally!" She excitedly looped her arm through Ethan's. "Now we can plan our mating ceremony!"

Then she turned to me, her eyes gleaming with triumph. "Sophia, when are you moving out of the pack house? I need to redecorate the Luna's suite."

"Tomorrow," I said simply.

"Tomorrow? Perfect!" Vivian clapped her hands. "I've already hired a designer. We're getting rid of all that tacky old furniture."

That "tacky old furniture" was stuff I'd spent three years picking out. Every piece meant something special.

But now, it was all going to be tossed out.

"Vivian's right," Ethan chimed in. "The new Luna needs a fresh start. Sophia, if you need help moving..."

"I don't," I said, turning to leave.

"Wait!" Ethan hurried after me, pulling a necklace from his pocket. "Here... take this back."

I looked at the necklace—the "gift" he'd given me for our mating ceremony.

Platinum chain, moon-shaped pendant. It looked delicate and pretty.

I took the necklace and looked at it closely in the light.

"Ethan," I looked up at him. "This is silver-plated. It's not platinum."

He went pale. "What?"

"And this 'diamond'? It's a cubic zirconia," I scoffed. "Worth, what, fifty bucks? This is what you give your mate as a bonding gift?"

Ethan opened his mouth to explain, but I'd already dropped the necklace on the ground.

"Fake bond, fake necklace. A perfect match."

I walked to my car without a backward glance.

From my car, I saw Ethan and Vivian arguing in the rearview mirror.

I rolled down my window and heard them talking.

"How did she know the necklace was fake?" Vivian demanded.

"Who knows," Ethan said, annoyed. "Doesn't matter. The bond's broken now anyway."

"But she looked really pissed off..."

"Relax, Sophia's easy," Ethan said confidently. "Once she cools down, I'll just use a little Alpha command, and she'll come crawling back. She wouldn't dare leave the pack."

I started the engine and hit the gas.

He had another thing coming.

This time, it was really over. No going back.